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Round The Island Race, Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK
It is difficult to convey in
words the spectacle of over 1000 yachts starting a race off the Royal Yacht Squadron
in Cowes. Even observing from the shore adjacent to the starting canon and the start
line isn't anything like the huge pressure and adrenalin rushes felt by the crews
jockeying for position amongst 10s of other yachts using the same start line. First hand
experience is the only way to sample this incredible experience and Yacht Charter
Marine can help you do this.
The 10 minute gun goes off, stop watches are
set on the smoke, not the sound due to the sound travelling significantly slower than
the light. The countdown is echoed over the VHF and the crew tense up, manning
their positions to help put the yacht in the perfect starting position. Suddenly the wind
shifts a few degrees, the other end of the start line is now more favourable, the fleet
all turn on their keels trying to avoid one another and shoot off for the other end of
the line. One minute to go and the tension gets unbearable, shouts of "starboard",
"water", and "up,up,UP!" resound across the water along with screaming winches
and flogging sails. The starting gun fires, we have clear air and we are clear of the
line. So starts the tacking up the Solent with the tide to the first mark, the Needles
Lighthouse. There is lots of exciting close calls as the yachts tack into the westerly
breeze, alternating between port and starboard tacks. The 'rules of the road' are
mostly obeyed with only a few close calls between yachts narrowly missing one
another. Past Hurst Castle the fleet is squashed together as the waterway narrows
and then finally the Needles are rounded. Out in the open water the waves grow
and the yacht's movement is more pronounced. However, up goes the spinnaker as
the yachts point to St Catherine's and everything settles down for a comfortable
downwind sail to the next mark. A quick gybe round St Catherine's and then it's
more of the same to Bembridge Ledge bouy. Plenty of trimming the sails, a spot of
lunch and maybe even the odd drink! Hopefully the wind has been sufficient for the
yachts to keep the tide in their favour all the way round and as the yachts round the
No Man's Land Fort for the final leg up the Solent to Cowes for the finish, spinnakers
are dropped and the sails winched in.
Wind and tide dependant the fleet
marches on toward the finish. The last sparing with those yachts that you have been
vying with for the last few hours takes on a very serious note as positions can be
gained and lost by small variations in wind speed and direction. The tide off Cowes is
critical to the result and must be read very carefully. At last the finish is in sight, you
just squeeze ahead of the yacht you have been swapping places with all day. It is a
huge victory since you have been swearing at them under your breath as they pulled
away and nearly beat you only minutes ago.
Sighs of relief all round, motor
on, sails down, beer opened. Pick up your tankard from the committee boat and
head for the marina for the next event � drinking the evening away re-telling the days
events. Naturally, all the stories improve rapidly, volumes and exaggeration
increasing with each extra drink.
There is nothing like it! Come and join us!
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